Japan in April: ✅ an excellent month, the month of the cherry blossoms. It is mild along the Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka corridor (19 to 20 °C / 66 to 68 °F in the afternoon, around 10 °C / 50 °F at night, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency). Full bloom falls on average between 31 March and 4 April in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and in late April in northern Honshu. Golden Week starts on 29 April (a public holiday). In Nara, the cherry trees are best enjoyed in the big park, described in our guide things to do in Nara.
April is hanami season, the tradition of viewing cherry blossoms. The blossom front moves from south to north over several weeks: choosing your cities well lets you see flowers for almost the whole month. We have collected the official average blooming dates for ten cities. For the bigger picture, see our page best time to visit Japan.
Japan in April: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ Honshu, Kyushu and Okinawa; ⚠️ Hokkaido still cool (11.7 °C / 53 °F in the afternoon in Sapporo)
- Tokyo: 19.4 °C (67 °F) in the afternoon, 9.8 °C (50 °F) at night, 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain
- Cherry blossoms: average full bloom on 31 March in Tokyo, 4 April in Kyoto and Osaka, 26 April in Aomori
- Golden Week: from 29 April (official public holidays)
- Time difference in April: +8 h from London, +13 h from New York (details)
Japan weather in April, city by city
| City | Region | Avg max | Avg min | Rain | Sunshine (h) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | Hokkaido | 11.7 °C (53 °F) | 3.4 °C (38 °F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 176 | ⚠️ |
| Tokyo | Kanto | 19.4 °C (67 °F) | 9.8 °C (50 °F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 179 | ✅ |
| Kyoto | Kansai | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 9.2 °C (49 °F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 177 | ✅ |
| Osaka | Kansai | 19.9 °C (68 °F) | 10.9 °C (52 °F) | 102 mm (4.0 in) | 193 | ✅ |
| Hiroshima | Chugoku | 19.8 °C (68 °F) | 10.1 °C (50 °F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 192 | ✅ |
| Fukuoka | Kyushu | 19.9 °C (68 °F) | 11.5 °C (53 °F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 188 | ✅ |
| Naha | Okinawa | 24.3 °C (76 °F) | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 121 | ✅ |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these normals: in April, the major cities of Honshu and Kyushu have very similar highs (19.4 to 20.1 °C / 67 to 68 °F), with a day–night range of about 10 °C (18 °F): pleasant in the afternoon, cool in the evening. Kyoto has the coolest nights (9.2 °C / 49 °F). Sapporo is 8 °C (14 °F) colder than Tokyo in the afternoon, while Naha, in Okinawa, already approaches 24 °C (75 °F). Between March and April, Tokyo warms by 5.2 °C (9.4 °F), from 14.2 to 19.4 °C (58 to 67 °F). These normals match those on our page best time to visit Japan.
When to see the cherry blossoms in April
| City | First bloom (average) | Full bloom (average) | First bloom 2026 | Full bloom 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | 22 March | 31 March | 24 March | 3 April |
| Tokyo | 24 March | 31 March | 19 March | 28 March |
| Kyoto | 26 March | 4 April | 23 March | 30 March |
| Osaka | 27 March | 4 April | 26 March | 3 April |
| Hiroshima | 25 March | 3 April | 19 March | 30 March |
| Kanazawa | 3 April | 8 April | 29 March | 3 April |
| Sendai | 8 April | 13 April | 31 March | 4 April |
| Nagano | 11 April | 16 April | 31 March | 6 April |
| Aomori | 22 April | 26 April | 13 April | 16 April |
| Sapporo | 1 May | 6 May | 18 April | 24 April |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these data: on average, the blossom takes about 5 weeks to travel from Fukuoka (22 March) to Sapporo (1 May). In 2026 it was early almost everywhere, by 5 days in Tokyo and 13 days in Sapporo: average dates are a guide, not a guarantee. The JMA publishes the observed dates every spring; check them, along with blossom forecasts, a few weeks before you leave.
- Early April: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya; often the end of full bloom if spring comes early.
- Mid-April: Kanazawa, Sendai, Nagano and the Japanese Alps.
- Late April: Aomori and northern Honshu (Hirosaki); Sapporo around 1 May on average.
Things to do in Japan in April
- Hanami in Tokyo and Kyoto: parks, temples and riverbanks; see best time to visit Tokyo and best time to visit Kyoto.
- Follow the cherry blossom front north in the second half of the month (Kanazawa, Tohoku).
- Okinawa: it is already 24 °C (75 °F) in Naha; see our Okinawa guide.
- Low-altitude hikes (Hakone, Nikko, the Kumano Kodo trail); at higher altitudes, snow may still be present.
Public holidays and booking in April
According to the official public holiday calendar of Japan’s Cabinet Office, 29 April (Showa Day) and then 3, 4 and 5 May 2027 are public holidays. This holiday period is known as Golden Week. If your dates touch the end of the month, book trains and accommodation early. After Golden Week, our page Japan in May covers late spring.
Cherry blossom dates vary from year to year: stay flexible and book accommodation in Kyoto and Tokyo well ahead if you are targeting those dates. Compare rates directly with hotels; we do not publish unsourced average prices.
What to pack for Japan in April
- Layers: T-shirt, sweater, light jacket
- A warmer jacket for evenings, the north and the mountains
- A compact umbrella (April brings more than 100 mm / 3.9 in of rain in the major cities)
- Comfortable shoes that are easy to slip off (temples, ryokan)
- A tarp or light mat for a hanami picnic
Entry requirements and safety
US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, page updated August 11, 2025), tourist or business stays of up to 90 days are visa-free. Your passport must be valid for the entire stay, you should have proof of a return or onward ticket, and all visitors are fingerprinted and photographed on arrival.
British citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, updated 28 August 2026), you get a visa on arrival for tourism or business for up to 90 days, with no need to apply before travel. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay, with one blank page for the visa stamp. It is illegal to bring meat products (sausages, bacon, ham) into Japan without permission from the Animal Quarantine Service, and Japan is still predominantly cash-based: some foreign cards are not accepted (7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept some foreign cards) (GOV.UK).
Entry requirements checked on 24 October 2026; check them again before you travel. Japan is also exposed to natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons): follow local alerts during your stay.
If April doesn’t suit you
Nearby months: late March brings blossoms to the south and centre, often with less heat; May is warmer and very pleasant after Golden Week. For autumn colours, see Japan in November.
Other destinations in April: South Korea, also lovely in spring, or Vietnam in April. All our ideas: where to go in April. For your itinerary: our Japan travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see the cherry blossoms in Japan?
On average, full bloom occurs on 31 March in Tokyo, 4 April in Kyoto and Osaka, and 6 May in Sapporo, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It varies by several days from one year to the next.
What is the weather like in Japan in April?
Mild: around 19 to 20 °C (66 to 68 °F) in the afternoon and 9 to 11 °C (48 to 52 °F) at night in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka, 11.7 °C (53 °F) in Sapporo and 24.3 °C (76 °F) in Naha (JMA 1991–2020 normals).
Is April a good time to visit Japan?
Yes, it is one of the best months for the weather and the cherry blossoms. Book ahead for the blooming period.
When does Golden Week start?
On 29 April. In 2027, the official public holidays are 29 April and 3, 4 and 5 May.
Does it rain a lot in Japan in April?
A little: 100 to 140 mm (3.9 to 5.5 in) over the month depending on the Honshu city, often in short spells. A compact umbrella is enough.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
No, for US and British citizens on a tourist stay of up to 90 days (visa-free for US citizens, visa on arrival for British citizens, according to travel.state.gov and GOV.UK, checked on 24 October 2026). A valid passport is required.
Our sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1991–2020 normals for the Sapporo, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Naha stations (data.jma.go.jp)
- JMA: average dates (平年日) of first bloom and full bloom of the Somei-Yoshino cherry, and dates observed in 2026, pages « 2026年のさくらの開花 » and « 2026年のさくらの満開 ».
- Cabinet Office of Japan: official list of public holidays (syukujitsu.csv)
- Entry, health and safety information read on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Japan country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Japan (GOV.UK, updated 28 August 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.